Koemen quits PSV for Valencia

Oct 31, 2007 - 8:46 PM By Cindy Garcia-Bennett Special to PA SportsTicker

EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands (Ticker) - PSV Eindhoven coach Ronald Koeman and assistant Tonny Bruins Slot have left the club to take over at Spanish Primera Liga outfit Valencia.

The Dutch champion confirmed the news on its official web site, www.psv.nl, following a press conference at the Philips Stadion on Wednesday evening.

The duo will succeed Quique Sanchez Flores at the Mestalla after the former coach's dismissal early on Monday morning.

Koeman has agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract which will keep him at Valencia until June 2010.

PSV director Jan Reker was sorry to see Koeman go but knew the Eindhoven club could not stand in the way of the former Holland international realizing his dream of coaching in Spain.

"It's hard to explain," Reker said in the press conference. "We are very satisfied with each other, we have a good relationship and PSV is doing very well sporting-wise.

"But then Valencia called us about Ronald Koeman. Our question was: 'Can't you wait until next year?' Ronald always said that his dream was to be coach of a top club in Spain. We respect that now."

Reker said he could understand Koeman's desire to test himself at the next level.

"This is a dream club for him and they didn't want to wait," he said. "I was a coach myself and when you have a dream, you must take it when it comes. It's a pity for PSV indeed - but the ultimate challenge for Ronald. Valencia is of course a very big club."

PSV has named Jan Wouters as interim coach following the departure of Koeman.

Jong PSV coach Anton Janssen steps up to the role of Wouters' number two on a temporary basis.

Reker said the club would not act hastily in finding a permanent successor.

"It is clear that we cannot conjure up a (new) coach from under this table, so we must have some patience," he said.

"We have the intention to appoint a new coach as soon as possible. We will start the search very quickly."

The Eredivisie leaders are heading into a vital phase of the season with domestic games against Heerenveen and AZ Alkmaar as well as a potentially decisive Champions League clash with Fenerbahce in the next fortnight.